Privacy Policy

Website: https://bizhub24.online

Tagline: Connected To Connect

1. INTRODUCTION

BizHub24 ("BizHub24", "we", "us" or "our") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information.

This Privacy Policy explains how BizHub24 collects, uses, stores, shares and protects personal information when you:

• visit the BizHub24 website;
• create or manage a business profile;
• search for businesses;
• contact businesses through the Platform;
• submit reviews or ratings;
• subscribe to BizHub24 services;
• participate in referral or promotional programmes;
• use BizHub24 marketing tools;
• communicate with BizHub24; or
• otherwise use our Platform.

This Privacy Policy applies to both Business Users and Search Users.

BizHub24 intends to process personal information in accordance with applicable privacy laws, including the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA) where applicable.

BizHub24 is a business discovery and connection platform that helps businesses establish an online presence and helps people discover businesses, products and services.

BizHub24 may provide:

• business directories;
• business profiles;
• business search;
• business contact tools;
• messaging;
• ratings and reviews;
• promotional listings;
• subscriptions;
• referral programmes;
• AI-assisted marketing tools;
• business galleries;
• location-based discovery; and
• other related services.

BizHub24 may act as a responsible party under applicable data-protection legislation when determining why and how personal information is processed.

Depending on how you use BizHub24, we may collect different types of information.

3.1 Information provided by Business Users

When a business registers or manages a profile, we may collect:

• business name;
• business owner's or representative's name;
• telephone number;
• WhatsApp number;
• email address;
• physical or operating address;
• province;
• city or locality;
• business category;
• business description;
• products and services;
• business logo;
• photographs;
• website address;
• social-media links;
• business operating hours;
• location information;
• verification information;
• subscription information; and
• other information submitted by the business.

Some of this information may be displayed publicly as part of the business profile.

When people use BizHub24 to search for businesses or interact with the Platform, we may collect:

• name, where provided;
• email address;
• telephone number, where provided;
• account information;
• reviews and ratings;
• messages or enquiries;
• search activity;
• saved businesses or preferences, where applicable;
• information submitted through forms;
• communications with BizHub24; and
• other information voluntarily provided by the user.

You may be able to browse certain parts of BizHub24 without creating an account.

When you use BizHub24, certain technical information may be collected automatically.

This may include:

• IP address;
• browser type;
• device type;
• operating system;
• pages visited;
• approximate location derived from technical information;
• date and time of access;
• referral source;
• Platform activity;
• error information; and
• other technical or usage information.

This information helps us operate, secure and improve BizHub24.

BizHub24 may use location information to help users discover businesses in relevant areas.

Depending on the feature being used, location information may come from:

• information entered by a user;
• a business's registered address;
• map or geolocation services;
• device information where permission is provided; or
• approximate technical location information.

Where device-based location access requires permission, users may control that permission through their device settings.

Businesses should ensure that locations displayed on their profiles are accurate and appropriate for public display.

BizHub24 may use personal information to:

• create and manage accounts;
• create and display business profiles;
• provide business search functionality;
• connect users with businesses;
• facilitate enquiries and communications;
• provide reviews and ratings;
• process subscriptions and payments;
• manage promotional codes;
• administer referral programmes;
• provide marketing tools;
• provide AI-assisted marketing functionality;
• verify businesses;
• prevent fraud and abuse;
• maintain Platform security;
• provide customer support;
• communicate with users;
• improve the Platform;
• analyse Platform usage;
• troubleshoot technical problems;
• comply with legal obligations; and
• protect the rights, property and safety of BizHub24 and its users.

One of the primary purposes of BizHub24 is to help people discover businesses.

Information that a Business User intentionally submits for publication may therefore be publicly visible.

Public business information may include:

• business name;
• business description;
• category;
• services;
• business address or location;
• business telephone number;
• WhatsApp number;
• email address;
• website;
• social-media links;
• photographs;
• logo;
• operating hours;
• ratings;
• reviews; and
• other profile information.

Business Users should not submit confidential or unnecessary personal information for public display.

BizHub24 may allow users to submit ratings and reviews.

When a user submits a review, information contained in the review may become publicly visible.

Users should therefore avoid including:

• private contact information;
• financial information;
• passwords;
• identity-document numbers;
• confidential business information; or
• other sensitive personal information belonging to themselves or another person.

BizHub24 may moderate or remove reviews that violate our Terms and Conditions.

BizHub24 may provide messaging or enquiry functionality allowing users to contact businesses.

Information submitted through these features may be shared with the relevant business so that the business can respond to the enquiry.

Depending on the communication method selected, communication may occur through third-party services such as WhatsApp, email, telephone networks or other communication providers.

Once information has been sent directly to a third party, that third party's own privacy policy may apply.

If you purchase a paid BizHub24 service, we may collect information necessary to process and manage the transaction.

This may include:

• purchaser name;
• business information;
• subscription plan;
• transaction amount;
• transaction date;
• payment status;
• invoice information; and
• limited payment-related information.

Payment-card or other financial information may be processed by third-party payment providers.

BizHub24 may not directly store complete payment-card details.

Third-party payment providers may process information according to their own privacy policies and security procedures.

If BizHub24 operates referral, invitation or promotional programmes, we may process information necessary to:

• identify the referring business;
• identify the referred business;
• track referral activity;
• calculate promotional rewards;
• apply discounts;
• prevent fraud;
• verify eligibility; and
• administer the programme.

Referral participants should not submit another person's personal information without having an appropriate lawful basis or permission where required.

BizHub24 may provide AI-powered marketing tools.

Business information may be used to generate:

• Facebook posts;
• WhatsApp statuses;
• advertising copy;
• promotional content;
• product descriptions;
• marketing ideas; and
• other business content.

Information provided to an AI feature may be processed by technology providers that help us provide the feature.

Business Users should avoid submitting confidential information, passwords, payment information or unnecessary personal information into AI tools.

AI-generated content may be reviewed and edited by the Business User before publication.

BizHub24 may use cookies and similar technologies.

Cookies may be used to:

• keep users logged in;
• remember preferences;
• maintain security;
• understand how the Platform is used;
• improve functionality;
• analyse performance; and
• support relevant Platform features.

Some cookies may be provided by third-party services.

Users may be able to control cookies through their browser settings.

Disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of some BizHub24 features.

BizHub24 may use analytics tools to understand how users interact with the Platform.

Analytics information may help us understand:

• which pages are visited;
• which features are used;
• how users navigate the Platform;
• technical problems;
• general usage patterns; and
• Platform performance.

Where third-party analytics providers are used, information may be processed according to the relevant provider's terms and privacy policy.

BizHub24 may send users communications relating to:

• account activity;
• subscriptions;
• transactions;
• security;
• important Platform changes;
• business enquiries;
• service announcements;
• promotions; and
• marketing where permitted by applicable law.

Where marketing communications require consent, BizHub24 will obtain consent where legally required.

Users may unsubscribe from marketing communications using the available unsubscribe mechanism or by contacting BizHub24.

Certain service-related communications may still be sent where necessary to operate the user's account or provide a requested service.

BizHub24 may share personal information where reasonably necessary to operate the Platform.

Information may be shared with:

17.1 Businesses

When a Search User contacts a business, information necessary to respond to the enquiry may be provided to that business.

17.2 Service providers

We may use third-party providers for:

• hosting;
• databases;
• payment processing;
• email;
• messaging;
• analytics;
• maps;
• security;
• customer support;
• AI services;
• cloud storage; and
• other technical services.

These providers may process information on our behalf.

17.3 Legal and regulatory authorities

BizHub24 may disclose information where required or permitted by law, including where necessary to:

• comply with a legal obligation;
• respond to lawful requests;
• investigate fraud;
• protect users;
• protect the Platform; or
• enforce our legal rights.

17.4 Business transfers

If BizHub24 is involved in a merger, acquisition, restructuring, sale of assets or similar transaction, personal information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to applicable law.

Some service providers used by BizHub24 may operate outside South Africa.

Where personal information is transferred outside South Africa, BizHub24 intends to take reasonable steps to ensure that applicable legal requirements are satisfied.

This may include assessing the destination country's protection standards, contractual safeguards or other lawful mechanisms.

BizHub24 takes reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against:

• unauthorised access;
• accidental loss;
• destruction;
• misuse;
• alteration; and
• unauthorised disclosure.

Security measures may include:

• access controls;
• authentication;
• secure connections;
• server security;
• monitoring;
• backups; and
• other appropriate safeguards.

However, no internet-based system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

Users are responsible for protecting their passwords and account credentials.

BizHub24 will retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it was collected or where retention is required or permitted by law.

Retention periods may depend on:

• the type of information;
• the purpose for which it was collected;
• whether an account remains active;
• legal requirements;
• accounting requirements;
• dispute resolution;
• security requirements; and
• legitimate business needs.

When personal information is no longer required, BizHub24 may delete, anonymise or securely dispose of it.

Subject to applicable law, users may have rights relating to their personal information, including the right to:

• request access to personal information we hold about them;
• request correction of inaccurate information;
• request deletion where legally permitted;
• object to certain processing;
• withdraw consent where processing is based on consent;
• request information about how personal information is processed; and
• lodge a complaint with an appropriate regulatory authority.

Some rights may be subject to legal limitations.

Business Users may be able to update information displayed on their business profile.

Businesses should promptly update information when:

• contact details change;
• the business relocates;
• services change;
• operating hours change;
• ownership information changes; or
• the business ceases trading.

A business may request correction or removal of inaccurate personal information through the appropriate BizHub24 support channel.

Search Users should be aware that information intentionally submitted publicly, including reviews and certain profile information, may become visible to other users.

Before submitting information publicly, users should consider whether they are comfortable with it being accessible through the Platform.

BizHub24 encourages users not to publish unnecessary personal or confidential information.

BizHub24 is primarily intended for general business discovery and communication.

We do not knowingly seek to collect unnecessary personal information from children.

Where applicable law requires parental or guardian involvement for the collection or processing of a minor's personal information, BizHub24 will comply with the applicable requirements.

If you believe that a minor has provided personal information in circumstances where it should not have been collected, please contact BizHub24.

BizHub24 may link to third-party websites and services.

Examples may include:

• business websites;
• WhatsApp;
• Google Maps;
• Facebook;
• Instagram;
• payment services;
• social-media platforms; and
• other external services.

BizHub24 does not control the privacy practices of third-party services.

Users should review the privacy policy of any third-party service they use.

BizHub24 may receive information from third parties where permitted by law.

This may include information from:

• service providers;
• payment providers;
• verification services;
• analytics providers;
• publicly available sources; or
• businesses submitting information on behalf of their organisation.

Where required, BizHub24 will process such information in accordance with applicable privacy laws.

BizHub24 may process information to detect, investigate and prevent:

• fraudulent registrations;
• fake business listings;
• fake reviews;
• account abuse;
• payment fraud;
• spam;
• malicious activity;
• unauthorised access; and
• other misuse of the Platform.

This processing may be necessary to protect BizHub24, businesses and Search Users.

If you submit content such as:

• reviews;
• ratings;
• photographs;
• comments;
• business descriptions;
• messages; or
• other publicly visible material,

you understand that the content may be displayed to other Platform users depending on the feature used.

You should not submit personal information about another person unless you have a lawful basis to do so.

If BizHub24 becomes aware of a security compromise involving personal information, we will take reasonable steps to investigate and respond to the incident.

Where applicable law requires notification to affected individuals or a regulatory authority, BizHub24 will make the required notification within the applicable legal framework.

Where applicable law requires consent for direct marketing, BizHub24 will obtain consent before sending such communications.

Users may object to direct marketing or withdraw consent through the available mechanisms.

A user may continue to receive essential service communications where these are necessary for the operation of an account or requested service.

BizHub24 relies on users and businesses to provide accurate information.

Users should notify us if their personal information changes.

BizHub24 may take reasonable steps to verify or correct information where appropriate.

Business Users are responsible for ensuring that they have an appropriate lawful basis for any personal information they provide to BizHub24 or publish through their business profile.

Businesses should not publish another person's:

• telephone number;
• email address;
• identity information;
• photograph;
• home address;
• financial information; or
• other personal information

without an appropriate lawful basis or permission where required.

Businesses using BizHub24 may receive personal information from potential customers through enquiries and communication tools.

Once a business receives personal information from a customer, the business may have its own obligations under applicable data-protection and privacy laws.

Businesses must use customer information only for legitimate purposes and must take reasonable measures to protect it.

Where POPIA applies, BizHub24 intends to process personal information in accordance with applicable requirements relating to:

• accountability;
• processing limitation;
• purpose specification;
• further processing limitation;
• information quality;
• openness;
• security safeguards; and
• data-subject participation.

BizHub24 will seek to process personal information lawfully and reasonably and in a manner that does not unnecessarily infringe the privacy of individuals.

BizHub24 may use automated systems, algorithms or AI-assisted tools for certain Platform functions.

These may include:

• search relevance;
• recommendations;
• content assistance;
• fraud detection;
• spam detection;
• Platform analytics; and
• marketing assistance.

Where applicable law provides rights relating to automated decision-making, BizHub24 will take those requirements into account.

BizHub24 may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.

The updated version will be published on the Platform with an updated version.

Where a material change is made, BizHub24 may provide additional notice where appropriate or required by law.

Users are encouraged to periodically review this Privacy Policy.

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, want to request access to your information, request correction or deletion, or have a privacy-related complaint, please contact BizHub24.

BizHub24

Website: https://bizhub24.online

Email: support@bizhub24.online

Telephone / WhatsApp: +27842116080

Where applicable, individuals may have the right to lodge a complaint with the relevant data-protection authority.

For South Africa, this includes the Information Regulator (South Africa).

Users should first give BizHub24 a reasonable opportunity to address a privacy concern where appropriate, without limiting any rights they have under applicable law.

By using BizHub24, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.

Where consent is required for a particular processing activity, BizHub24 will seek consent through an appropriate mechanism.

Your continued use of the Platform does not override any legal rights you may have under applicable privacy legislation.

BizHub24 — Connected To Connect